Wolf Pack Structure

One of the things that distinguish different members of the wolf family (Canis lupus) is the distinctive development of social behavior (Gleason, 2013). Wolves belong to a family or group often referred to as a pack. This structure was originally thought to allow the wolf, a social predator, to take on prey many times its size. New theories, however, are emerging suggesting that the pack strategy maximizes reproductive success and has less to do with hunting (Gleason, 2013). For centuries the wolf has captured the imagination of different cultures and rooted itself in scientific intrigue (Mech, 1999). Wolf packs have long been used as examples in descriptions of behavioral relationships among members of social groups. The pack structure and …show more content…
The size of the pack is dependent on the amount of prey available to them. The male and female members of the pack are organized on a hierarchy of dominance (Gleason, 2013). There is one alpha male and one alpha female wolf. They govern the wolf pack and are dominant over the rest of the pack, with the Omega wolf being the lowest ranking member of the pack. The other members of the pack usually pick on the Omega wolf and torment him/her. The Alpha wolves get pack breeding rights, first access to food and generally the best of everything available to the pack (Conger, 2008). The alpha wolves generally produce between two and eleven pups per litter per year, and the entire pack is involved in the care and maintenance of the …show more content…
Other distinguishing marks are the bold outline on the alpha's hackles (the hairs along the backbone) and dark line extending down the back to the base of the tail (Gonzalez, 2013). The alpha can also carry a potent scent from consuming the most valuable organs of a prey, such as the heart and liver (Gonzalez, 2013). The alpha pair shares the most social freedom among all pack members. They are very influential and have the most freedom in where to go, what to do and when to do it, with the rest of the pack usually following. Therefore they usually direct the pack in hunting and tracking prey, choosing den sites and establishing and maintaining the pack's territory. Whenever a pack of wolves howl, the alpha shows high status by doing so in a low tone, and will stop for short periods of time to listen to the pack in order to determine if they should move on or not (Ellis & Sloan, 2006). The same pitch modulation is found in the alpha female, which is the alpha male's chosen mate, and second in the alpha pair. Without a distinguished leader for both male and female parts of the pack, there would be no